“Then people are going to be frustrated” - Frank Leboeuf explains Cristiano Ronaldo ‘problem’ Portugal could face at Euro 2024
Former France centre-back Frank Leboeuf reckons Cristiano Ronaldo will have to be at the top of his game for Portugal to win Euro 2024. The 2016 champions open their campaign against the Czech Republic in Leipzig on Tuesday (June 18).
Roberto Martinez's side are in a rich vein of form in competitive outings - embarking on a perfect 10-0 qualifying campaign last year. However, their recent form has been patchy - winning two of three friendlies this month - and three of five in 2024.
Ronaldo, 39, has been at the forefront of goals for his team - bagging 10 goals and two assists in nine qualifying games. Following a 44-goal season with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, he scored twice in the 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland in Aveiro last week.
Leboeuf elaborated the Ronaldo problem for Portugal (as per ESPN):
“My concern is, if Ronaldo is at the top (of his game), you have to play him and they will play him because he attracts the attention of the opposition. If he’s efficient and can score (goals), Portugal can go very far (at Euro 2024).
He continued:
“The problem is if Ronaldo is at the top, you give him the ball, he doesn’t score, and you’re upset. Then people are going to get frustrated; players are going to be frustrated; Ronaldo will also be frustrated and upset as well.
"It’s there that you can have problems inside the squad, and they cannot achieve their dream (of winning Euro 2024). If Ronaldo is good, they can win it.”
Turkey and Georgia are the other teams in Portugal's group.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo chasing records galore at Euro 2024
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo already holds a slew of European Championship records heading into Euro 2024. He's the competition's all-time appearance maker (25) and scorer - both in qualifying (41) and finals (14).
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the only player in Euro history to appear in five editions of the competition and score in as many, two marks he's set to extend at Euro 2024.
Moreover, Ronaldo's first goal at the ongoing championship will make him the oldest player to score at the Euros, while another assist will take him level with Karel Poborsky. If he goes on to score in the final, the 39-year-old will be the oldest to do so.